US House District 3 - Democratic Primary Choose 1
US REPRESENTATIVE: As one of 435, each member represents the people of his or her district. Among other duties, representatives introduce bills and resolutions, offer amendments, serve on committees, and provide constituent services. To serve in the U.S. House, a person must be at least 25 years old, a U.S. citizen for at least 7 years, and, at the time of election, a resident of the state in which he or she is chosen. Each member is elected to serve 2-years.NOTE: If a candidate's answers are not visible, the candidate may not have completed the survey prior to our publication date. Updated response will be posted as they are received. Voters are welcome to encourage the candidate to share their views.
Biographical Information
Campaign Phone
864-506-8595
Website
http://www.euniceforsc.com
Qualifications for Office
Social Worker with four decades of public service experience including: member of City of Clemson Sustainability Committee, member of Anderson Oconee Pickens Mental Health Board, Community Leader, Teacher, Mentor,Listener, Effective at finding solutions to complex problems
What is your position on immigration reform?
Until recently, the US was a beacon of hope for those ”yearning to breathe free.” Decades of inaction make reform urgent.
While we must exclude or deport criminals, mass detentions of innocent people have not made us safer. I support a path to citizenship for DACA kids, bringing back Temporary Protected Status for those afflicted by war or disaster, reversing cuts to immigration judges, and cutting funding for ICE (no illegal searches, no arresting children or separating children from their parents). Immigration policy by Executive Order of an out-of-control president hurts the economy, raises prices, and endangers and terrorizes our neighbors.
Send a woman to Congress who will bring back an America that values immigration.
What, if anything, should the US Congress do to ensure quality healthcare at an affordable cost for all and that rural hospitals can survive?
As a healthcare provider, I offer affordable, real solutions to complex problems instead of wishful thinking.
Trump’s MAHA madness, slashing Medicaid, Medicare and the Affordable Care Act, has gutted our medical system and harmed the healthcare industry, our largest employment sector. I want to expand these programs (for starters, let’s lower the Medicare age to 64).
Already a “health care desert,” the Upstate stands to lose even more physicians’ practices and rural hospitals, thereby raising costs, waits and travel times. Please see my website for concrete ideas to restore disease research funding, expand programs to train healthcare providers, and prevent insurance companies from profiting at the expense of patients and providers.
What direction should the US Congress take in managing fossil fuel extraction?
Fossil fuels are going the way of the dinosaur. Climate change is here and MAGA energy policy only makes things worse. Soaring gas prices caused by an unwise, unjustified war are a warning. I will vote to end handouts to Big Oil, outlaw fracking that pollutes groundwater and ban mining and drilling in fragile zones like our seashores, the Arctic, and our precious National Parks. For us and for the next seven generations, I will increase investment in clean, renewable energy and for retraining fossil fuel workers for high-paying green jobs. I also support incentives for manufacturing and purchasing electric vehicles, batteries and solar panels.
If a red state like Texas can give away renewable energy, that’s a problem we can all live with.
Do you support a Constitutional amendment setting age limits on the members of Congress, the president and vice president, and federal judges including the Supreme Court? Why or why not?
As a psychotherapist, I'm a dementia expert so I know how people hide their memory loss. Having fewer senile old men running our country would be great. But only 33% of people over 85 have dementia. Most do not. Folks who are incompetent (for whatever reason) should not be in office, but age alone doesn’t determine incompetence. Instead of a strict age limit for holding office, I support requiring and disclosing the results of a scientifically valid cognitive test for competence for any elected official over age 80. However, asking Justices like Ruth B. Ginsburg or leaders like Jim Clyburn to retire because Trump is losing his marbles solves nothing.
I also strongly support term limits and have signed the term limit pledge.
Use this space, if you wish, to discuss your views on any other issues.
With few women and fewer healthcare providers in Congress, it's no surprise that medical costs are soaring and access to care is dwindling, especially for women. As a healthcare provider with decades of practical experience solving problems here in the SC Upstate, I will listen to your concerns and advocate for you.
I will uphold my oath to the constitution and impeach those who break their oaths or national and international laws.
I pledge to hold quarterly in-person town hall meetings. You deserve a Congresswomen who actually listens to you.
There’s so much more to say than 750 characters allow, so I hope you will visit my website at www.euniceforsc@gmail.com for more details of my positions.
Biographical Information
Campaign Phone
8649340542
Website
http://Mackinsforushouse.com
Qualifications for Office
I am Dr. Ernest Mackins. I am U.S. Army Veteran and Current Senior Vice Commander of VFW Post 6089. I am a retired Educator with over 28 years of experience with a Doctoric of Educational Leadership. I am also a local Pastor. I have 15 years of business experience and I am servant leader. I believe that this combination of education and experience truly qualifies me as the best candidate for this office. I care about the future of this country and our childrens future as such I will fight hard for the people to make sure that all voices are heard in Washington, D.C.
What is your position on immigration reform?
I hold a compassionate position that immigration reform begins with recognizing the dignity and humanity of every person. Immigration is not just a policy issue—it involves families, dreams, and people seeking safety and opportunity. Any meaningful reform should balance the rule of law with mercy, fairness, and practicality. First, the system should provide a clear and achievable pathway to legal status for undocumented individuals who have contributed to their communities, obeyed laws, and built lives here. Families should not be separated.
Second, border security is important, but it should be carried out humanely, ensuring that those seeking asylum are treated with respect. I will fight for these reforms when I am elected to office.
What, if anything, should the US Congress do to ensure quality healthcare at an affordable cost for all and that rural hospitals can survive?
The US Congress has a responsibility to all Americans to ensure every American has affordable healthcare, and rural hospitals should not be struggling to survive. There are 40 industrialized countries in the world, and 37 of them have universal healthcare. I believe America should be the 38th, and this is what I would fight for in this country when I am elected to office. We claim to be the richest country in the world, so we need to work with other countries and take care of our people. This starts with universal healthcare that is not tied to a job. We already pay enough in healthcare bills to afford this. I will never stop trying to make this a reality for all Americans.
What direction should the US Congress take in managing fossil fuel extraction?
Fossil Fuels are good in the short term, but I believe we should move toward more sustainable energy sources like solar and wind power. Fossil Fuels won't last forever and tend to pollute the environment. When we use sustainable energy resources, we can be certain we will leave a cleaner, safer environment for future generations. We will not be so dependent on other countries for these fuels, and thus America can achieve true energy independence. When I am elected to office, these are just some of the things I will fight for because I believe that our children's future matters!
Do you support a Constitutional amendment setting age limits on the members of Congress, the president and vice president, and federal judges including the Supreme Court? Why or why not?
Yes, I do because the demands of public service at the highest levels require sustained mental sharpness, adaptability, and long-term accountability to the nation's future. While experience and wisdom are invaluable, there comes a point when age may limit one's ability to carry out these responsibilities effectively in a rapidly changing world. Establishing reasonable age limits would help ensure a healthy balance between experience and fresh perspective. It would open the door for new generations of leaders who are more closely connected to the current challenges facing Americans, from technology and the economy to global relations and social change. Importantly, wisdom would still be recognized by new members.
Use this space, if you wish, to discuss your views on any other issues.
I believe the primary problems families are facing right now are affordability and accountability. Families need a US Congress that is truly working to bring down prices for all Americans and raise salaries so that Americans can truly achieve the American dream. Second, those in Washington, D.C., and wherever they are, need to face accountability like everyone else in this country. No one should be above the law. See, in a country of "Law and Order," Americans want to be able to afford a decent life and to see accountability. It is the only way that this country can survive as a Democratic Republic. If elected, I promise to fight for affordability and accountability because we all deserve these things.